Reversible sifter



NOV 26, 1929. i CLARK 1,737,298

REVERSIBLE SIFTER Filed Sept. 25, 1928 E1 wu enter 1 .Fr ank Clark Patented Nov. 26, 1929 warren stares FRANK CLARK, 0E n'otLivE E; Iowa REVERSIBLE sIETEB.

Application filed September 25, 1928. Serial at. 308,259.

sired without necessitating its removal from the sifter, the latter being reversed after each sifting of the flour.

The invention contemplates a sifter embodying a container for receiving the flour,

a reversible screen, an agitator for stirring the flour to insure its passage through the screen, and instrumentalities for mounting the screen and agitator and reversing the screen and securing it in either extreme posi- 7 tion.

WVhile the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the des1gn may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a household sifter embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective View showing more clearly the means for securing the covers to the ends of the body.

Figure & is a transverse sectional view of the screen and a portion of the body.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several 'views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 denotes the body or container for receiving the flour or other articles to be sifted. The part 1 is open throughout its length and may be of any determinate outline in cross section. A cover 2 closes each end of the body 1 and is retained in place by suitable fastening means 3 which, as shown, consist of hooks pivoted on opposite sides of the body 1 and engageable with portions of the covers by;passing,througl 1 slits formed thereiinas indicated at 4: in. Figure 3 of the drawings. In this manner, casual displacement of the covers is prevented. y 1 A short tubular extension, 5 projects laterally from the body or container l intermediate its ends andconstitutes abearing for i a plug 6 which is fitted at its outer end. The

plug 6 is, free to'turn and move longitudinally inthe extension 5 andis providedat its inner end with pins 7 whichare fitted within openings 8 ofthe screen, whereby t'o c'ause the screen and plug to turn inunison when it is required to reversethe screen. Notches 9 ar'e formed, in the outer. end of the, extension 5 and receive pins 10 projectingdaterally from opposite sides of the plug 6. When the'plug 6 ,is drawn outwardly to a distance todis- Wh n he een. h bee p p rly; posi ibn d it. is held by; moving the plug 6 inwardly to cause the pins 10 to enter the notches 9.

The screen 11 is formed with a half-round bottom and straight ends, the latter converging slightly toward the bottom, as indicated most clearly in Figure 1 of the drawings, to provide spaces for the dischar e of the flour during the sifting thereof. Tne body of the screen is formed of wire fabric of close mesh and is reinforced at its top by means of a metal binding 12 in which the openings 8 are formed. The top of the screen obtains a snug fit within the body or container 1 and said screen is free to turn by reason of the halfround formation of its bottom, as indicated most clearly in Figure 4 of the drawings.

An agitator or stirred 13 is disposed within the screen to effect a positive feed of the flour during the sifting thereof. This agitator includes or is mounted upon a shaft 1d which passes loosely through the ends of the screen and is mounted in the plug 6 and the opposite wall of the body 1. The end of the shaft 14 projecting beyond the plug 6 is formed with rarest estate a crank 15 which provides convenient means for rotating the agitator. The crank 15 provides a stop to limit the outward movement of the plug 6 and prevents disengagement of the pins 7 from the openings 8.

When using the Sifter, the flour or other article is placed within the upper portion of the body. After the covers 2 have been placed in position they are made secure by means of the catches or fastenings 3. ,Upon rotating the agitator by means of the crank 15, the flour is caused to sift through the screen and upon reversing the latter and the body, the flour may be sifted a second time and as often as desired by reversing the screen and the body after'each operation of sifting. The flour is discharged by detaching the lower cover, as will be readily comprehended.

What is claimed is: 1. A household Sifter comprising a body, a tubular extension projecting from a side of the body, a reversible screen within the body,

a plug slidably connected with the screen and slidably and rotatabl mounted in the said tubular extension, an inter-engaging means between the plug and tubular extension for securingthe screen in either extreme position. 2. A household sifter comprising a body, a tubular extension projecting laterally from the body intermediate the ends thereof, a reversible screen within the body, a plug rotatable and Slidably mounted in said tubular extension and having pins carried thereby slidably coupled to the screen to effect a turning thereof, interengaging means between the plug and tubular extension for securing the screen in the located position, and an agitator in cooperative relation with the screen and having a shaft which is mounted in the said p In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' FRANK CLARK. [1,. s] 

